Category Archives: Event Planning

Mansfield-aisle-679x1024

photo by Liz Banfield

 There are so many ways to get creative and design an impact around the ceremony- whether in the seating, maybe a custom aisle runner, florals on the alter or arch, etc.  Even the simplest of details can make a difference. After all, that is what everyone is there to celebrate, there is already a beautiful couple, why not have some beautiful scenery? Today, we’re sharing a round up of some of our favorite aisles from weddings past, that may help inspire your wedding day!

2016_Stephanie_Peter_0620

photo by Corbin Gurkin

For a ceremony overlooking a bluff into the Harbor in Newport, we built an aisle over the house pool, which we thought made a pretty dramatic look!

Runnymede Ceremony/Liz Banfield/Tara Guerard Soiree

photo by Liz Banfield

Another way we like to liven up a ceremony is with different seating. Here, large linen ottomans provided totally unexpected but still sophisticated seating for this river front wedding.

Kassen aisle/Tara Guerard Soiree/Corbin Gurkin

photo by Corbin Gurkin

To dress up and define a beachfront wedding, a white carpeted aisle runner is laid down.

Sobiloff aisle/Liz Banfield/Tara Guerard Soiree

photo by Liz Banfield

Rustic wooden church pews, and a greenery covered chuppa were so simple and not fussy…and this is a great easy and inexpensive way to have a tailored and elegant ceremony.

2015_Brooke_David_0767

photo by Corbin Gurkin

In order to keep this aisle blanketed with lush white rose petals pristine for the bride’s entrance, we had ushers seat the guests from the outside in… This is also way easier for guests and fills the rows so you don’t have an empty seat or two in the middle.

Smith pew markers/Tara Guerard Soiree/Corbin Gurkin

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Samis-aisle-679x1024 Kerr-pew-markers

photos by Liz Banfield

Depending on your church’s rules and interiors, going super simple with a single bloom or ribbons may be all you need. Or for a more over the top romantic feel, candlelight lanterns, or boughs of greenery and flowers can transcend a drab sanctuary.

Carrabba ceremony/Liz Banfield/Tara Guerard Soiree

Carrabba Aisle runner/Liz Banfield/Tara Guerard Soiree

photos by Liz Banfield

Of course, we’ve all seen the monogrammed aisle runners out there but embellished edges and shepherd’s hooks with matching ribbon swaying in the breeze, definitely helped elevate this ceremony’s look.

6.05.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Photographers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
May 24, 2017

2605_21.© Liz Banfield

We heading down to Sea Island, Georgia this week for a big wedding weekend, so in honor of that we are sharing a beachside celebration for Wedding Wednesday. After marrying at a historic chapel on St. Simon’s island, the couple celebrated with guests at the Ocean Forrest Club. Liz Banfield was able to have some private time with the couple on the beach to capture some amazing images.

Bridal Collage

A classic bridal accessory, a pearl bracelet… beautiful with her Rivini gown. All of the wedding party carried a variety of white flowers like ranunculus, roses, orchids, and tulips.

2604_06a.© Liz Banfield Church Collage

At the church, fluffy wreaths with ribbons and shells great guests. Part of the take on our design aesthetic was “sophisticated shells”, we loved this guests’ handbag!!!

2602_25a.© Liz Banfield

Our wedding welcome bags were full of beach essentials- local treats, bottled water, printed sunscreen, koozies, and magazines in a perfect beach tote.

2606_30a.© Liz Banfield

Food Collage

After photos on the beach, cocktail hour was in full swing on the back lawn of the beach club. Guests enjoy an intricate ice display houses varied local seafood, and the couple’s favorite cocktail- Southsides.

2593_09.© Liz Banfield

Now, this was our showstopper design feature, and something we had never done before- a seagrass tent ceiling. My team really almost killed me, but we did it and it was amazing! Dinner and dancing was in the same beachfront tent- which we raised up about 5 feet so that an ocean view was present for the entire evening.

Table Collage

Dinner escort cards were in a sanded displays and had a sweet little shell on each… Along with flowers, large glass containers with sand, shells and candles weighted the tables from the seabreeze and was chic at the same time. Sand dollars tied with raffia were perfectly perched at each seat.

Cake Collage

The amazing sand dollar cake by Jim Smeal was a pretty focal point in the tent. We make take home cake boxes for guests wanting a sweet treat later in the evening.

2602_04a.© Liz Banfield

2613_02a.© Liz Banfield

Nighttime Collage

As the sunset the party begins… Something we created for events years and years ago, but are still able to reinvent, are our shadowboxes. We use them for bars, tables, etc. For this wedding it was perfect for filling with sand and shells for the lounge bars and cake table. They are a great unexpected sight for guests! For a cost savings we brought the wreaths used on the church doors over for the front of the reception venue.

2595_32.© Liz Banfield 2600_05.© Liz Banfield 2611_24.© Liz Banfield

After dancing late into the evening, the bride and groom departed by classic car and fireworks for their honeymoon… Stay tuned for details from Sea Island this weekend!

5.24.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal Style, Cakes, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Photographers, Reception, The Lettered Olive, Travel, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>
May 22, 2017

Green Collage 2Today’s Monday color inspiration is bold and bright greens… Natural and versatile it can be used in so many ways. As an accent, the main focus, or mixed into a palette, green has always been one of our favorite colors to use in design.  Perfect for weddings due to it’s meanings of life, renewal, nature, and energy, is associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and environment.
Green Collage 1

Green Collage 3

Green Collage 4

Green Collage 5

Thank you to Liz Banfield and Corbin Gurkin for the beautiful images.

5.22.17   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Cakes, Event Design, Event Planning, Flowers, Food and Drink, Reception, Stationery, Invitations and Pretty Papers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>